Sports Digest/ CYCLING: Spanish rider Alejandro Valverde has been banned from next month's world championships because of his possible implication in the Operation Puerto doping investigation.
"During the . . . studying of the 6,000-page dossier, the UCI has concluded several documents may show the involvement of Alejandro Valverde in the affair," the International Cycling Union (UCI) said in a statement issued yesterday.
The UCI said it had asked the Spanish Cycling Federation to open disciplinary proceedings against the rider, but said such action would not imply any guilt on Valverde's part.
Valverde had withdrawn from next month's Tour of Spain. His Caisse D'Epargne team said the cyclist wanted to concentrate on the worlds . Valverde won the 2006 La Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege classics. He finished second in last year's Vuelta.
Bellewstown double for Johnny Murtagh
RACING: Johnny Murtagh continued his rich vein of form with a double at Bellewstown last evening.
The highlight of the two came in the feature Castleview Homes Handicap, where he gave The God Of Love a sparkling ride to claim the spoils.
Sent off at 6 to 1 in the mile contest, Murtagh galvanised his mount see off Peculiar Prince by a neck, with 7 to 2 favourite Miss Gorica only third.
Murtagh initiated his double when 11 to 4 favourite Fields Of Green hacked up in division one of the Ulster Bank Handicap for for Michael Halford.
Ruby Walsh produced a fine ride to get the tricky Paramount's nose in front in the Track Bookmakers Hurdle. The 7 to 1 shot held on to edge out Salford City by one and a half lengths.
Casablanca Jewel (7 to 2) was always prominent and came home three-quarters of a length clear of Hebridean in the Tally Ho Stud Auction Maiden.
